Knatz Resigns Harbor Department Post

SAN PEDRO — On Oct. 3, Harbor Department General Manager Dr.Geraldine Knatz announced she will be retiring at the end of the year.

Knatz, who was the first female executive port director in Los Angeles, has worked for the Southern California maritime industry for about 42 years. She has worked at both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed Knatz to the top position of the port in 2006. She was instrumental in implementing the ground-breaking San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan that has reduced air pollutants by 51 percent to 71 percent in various categories since 2005.

Villaraigosa termed out this spring and was replaced by the new mayor, Eric Garcetti, in May. The election of a new mayor in Los Angeles is often followed by the appointment of new managers in city departments, including the seaport.

Knatz, a native of New Jersey, received her undergraduate degree in zoology from Rutgers University. She earned a master of science in environmental engineering and a doctorate in biological science from the University of Southern California. She also served as a faculty member in the Viterbi School of Engineering at USC. Knatz began her port career in Los Angeles in 1977 as an environmental scientist.

City Engineer Gary Lee Moore will serve as acting general manager until a permanent general manager is appointed.

Knatz will continue to work at the Port of Los Angeles through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub will serve as the interim chief city engineer.

Moore is city engineer and general manager of the Bureau of Engineering, leading more than 800 engineers, architects, surveyors and technical support staff. He manages and designs the construction of all municipal facilities and infrastructure. Moore has also worked for the Department of Sanitation and was interim general manager of the Information Technology Agency last year.